RIVERSIDE: Fatal crash influences new police computer policy

Riverside police Officer George Anderson shows Community Police Review Commission member Claudia Smith how the on-board computer works during the CPRC meeting on March 13, 2013. The commission has been examining the May 13, 2012, fatal collision between a police car and pedestrian Isabel Pablo. The officer had been typing on his computer at some point before the crash.

After a fatal collision put scrutiny on the Riverside Police Departmentâs policy for using on-board computers, officers are now being told that they âshould generallyâ pull over before writing or reading all but the briefest messages.

The previous policy encouraged officers to use their computers âwhenever practical to reduce radio traffic â¦ with due regard to officer safetyâ but made no mention of pulling over.

Assistant Chief Chris Vicino said Thursday, May 23, that the new policy is not a âsevere departure.â But it does appear to be more closely aligned with other law-enforcement agenciesâ rules.

On May 13, 2012, Officer Michael Boulerice was driving on Madison Street in the Casa Blanca neighborhood when he responded to another officerâs message by typing in âmad/â. Shortly afterward, Boulericeâs car struck Isabel Pablo, 57, who was crossing at a location on Emerald Street that lacked a crosswalk.

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Boulerice immediately took the blame, telling a sergeant that he had been distracted by using what is known as a mobile digital computer. Police use MDCs to obtain emergency calls from dispatchers, send and receive messages and check license plates to determine whether a vehicle is stolen or sought in a crime.

Separate investigations by police and Riversideâs Community Police Review Commission, however, placed the blame on Pablo, who was intoxicated and jaywalking. They said Boulerice could not have avoided Pablo even if he hadnât been using his computer.

Nevertheless, Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz and his staff crafted a new policy that was discussed at the Wednesday, May 22, commission meeting.

âUse of the MDC by the vehicle operator should generally be limited to times when the vehicle is stopped,â the policy, dated April 4, states in part. âWhen the vehicle is in motion, the operator should only attempt to read messages that are likely to contain information that is required for immediate enforcement, investigative or safety needs. â¦ In no case shall an operator attempt to send or review lengthy messages while the vehicle is in motion.â

Vicino said officers should type in no more than a few characters while driving the car. An exception would be typing in and looking at information on a possible stolen or wanted vehicle they are following when pulling over would cause them to lose sight of the vehicle.

Vicino said Riverside had already been comparing its computer policy â" and other policies â" to those of other subscribers to Lexipol, a company that compiles best practices with goals that include improving policing and reducing payouts from lawsuits.

âWe sped this up as a result of looking at the Pablo incident. â¦ We felt we were responsive to best practices and some of the questions we encountered in that incident,â Vicino said.

Members of the public who spoke at neighborhood and Community Police Review Commission meetings about police use of on-board computers sometimes asked officials why they get tickets for talking and texting and police officers donât.

Section 23123.5 of the Vehicle Code, passed to prevent distracted driving, provides the answer: âThis section does not apply to an emergency services professional using an electronic wireless communications device while operating an authorized emergency vehicle â¦ in the course and scope of his or her duties.â

NEIGHBORHOOD REACTS

Those asking questions include Pablo Tomas, one of six of his motherâs relatives who are suing the city for wrongful death.

He said Thursday that he was âreally, really, really happyâ for the community that the city installed stop signs where Pablo crossed.

He added that the computer policy change came âtoo lateâ for his mother, whose sons brought her to the United States from Guatemala to lead a better life.

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